Title: Chicks Run Wild
Author: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: Ward Jenkins
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011, Fiction
Age Range: 2-5 years
Theme/Topics: rhyme, bedtime,
First Page: Every night up in their beds,
pillows fluffed up by their heads,
chicks are tucked beneath the sheets.
"Go to sleep, now," Mama tweets.
Synopsis: Mama tucks her chicks into bed at night but as soon as she leaves the room, her chicks run wild! She joins in to show them how to have a wild time, until the chicks finally fall asleep. Then Mama goes wild in her own way.
Resources: The author, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, has developed a teacher's guide for this book, which can be found here. I also think that, since it is mentioned in the story, teaching your child how to do the chicken dance might be fun. Here's a link to a YouTube video that shows how to do it.
Why I Love It: The rhyme is delightful, the pictures are SO fun, the word choice perfect, and the end a very fun surprise (though the summary above kinda gives it away). I don't think I stopped smiling once while I read it. A fun, clever story. My youngest child is 10, yet I liked this one enough to actually purchase it - which says a lot. Since reading this one a couple months ago, I have become a huge fan of its author, and am in the process of reading every one of her picture books. I love it THAT much.
Hope you'll give this book a look - and check out the OTHER perfect picture books for today at Susanna's blog.

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1
I love love love this book! And the chicken dance! Thanks for posting a review...
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Sue! Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteWell, that's some kind of fine recommendation! I'm always on the lookout for chicken books because - well, because chickens are hilarious creatures! And a chicken going wild paints quite a picture! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteChickens ARE hysterical - and these, I dare say, more hysterical than most :). Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI hope this isn't a duplicat post. I left one earlier, but it didn't take. This is a very entertaining bedtime book for kids. Love that Mom shows her flexibility and joins in the fun! Great selection.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia! Glad you came back to try to post again - no idea what the problem was last time :). Appreciate it!
DeleteThis is a wonderful book! Thoroughly re-readable!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Penny - have read it over and over myself :D
DeleteSudipta is such a talented author. This one sounds hilarious and the meter is perfect in this opening.
ReplyDeleteHaven't found a book of hers where the meter ISN'T perfect. Just in love with her writing :)
DeleteHello Joanne!
ReplyDeleteI love love love this book! And I love love love your blog! Wonderful quote by Jane Yolen is a perfect gateway. :)
Thank you for bringing the book to PPBF...I truly admire Sudipta's way with verse...I'll have to get this book out to study it as a mentor text. :)
Thanks, Vivian! I grabbed that quote from her PiBoIdMo post last year - it's hanging on my office wall, too. And you are not the only one who admire's Sudipta's verse. To me, she is just WOW. :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteGreat book, great review and great blog. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU! So appreciate your encouragement, and stopping by.
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